Chapter 11: Alexandra

"Wait...did you see...?" I turned around, swirling the dress along with me. Haelenya glanced around the room before settling her gaze back on me. "See who?" "Irina. My...maid." The last word still felt odd on my tongue. It was one thing to let her serve me, but entirely different to acknowledge the fact that someone was readily attending to all my needs. "I didn't even know a maid had been assigned to you." She shrugged, scanning the room nervously once more before focusing on me. "It's time. Let's not keep your mate waiting." Something stirred inside me, deeper than anticipation. My heart squeezed in a way that actually made me feel happy. Was this what Irina had meant? I'd never want to be away from him. Support him even when he did wrong. Haelenya led me to what I assumed was the throne room. The large stone doors were shut, though a red carpet had been laid out at the center of the hallway. She walked forward, knocking on the door lightly. Seconds later, it was pulled open,

Chapter 12: Marcus

"You feel it too?"Alexandra's head snapped up to face me, nearly losing her balance if not for the white cloth still holding us together. "The bond. You can feel it?"She nodded slowly, dropping her gaze back to the knot tied over our hands."We can take it off once we get to my chambers. Once we consummate, it should be easier to tame. The bond, I mean." My throat felt dry and the wound on my palm stung where the skin had split.But that was almost completely irrelevant. She had stayed.After what she'd seen last night, it wouldn't have surprised me if I'd stood at that altar for the rest of the night and walked away by dawn without a mate.That was enough for a reason for me to pledge myself to her. "Consummate?" She whispered, eyes widening.It dawned on me then that since she was so clueless about everything about a mating ceremony, she wouldn't know what it meant to consummate one either."It's the final step to seal the bond. It's supposed to feel good and I promise to be gen

Chapter 13: Alexandra

Something went wrong the moment his arms wrapped around me.His skin burned against mine. Not in a calm, savoury way that matched the feel of the bond.It burned. My hands pressed against his broad, hard chest, attempting to push him off. "Marcus..."He gave no response as his fingers ran through my hair before shoving the strands off my neck.Even before his teeth grazed my bared neck, it was clear what was to follow, yet something in me fought it off.The man on top of me now couldn't be the same mate that had brought me to this room. "Marcus, you're hurting me."That seemed to awaken something inside him. He pulled away, blinking rapidly like someone who just woke from a dream. "Alexandra?""It's me. Just me." Despite my efforts to sound calm, there was still an edge of caution laced into each word.He nodded, hesitating before pushing himself off the bed. "I should leave you to get settled then. You can bring your clothes in, I already made space in the closet.""But we haven't...

Chapter 14: Marcus

Her strawberry, citrus scent was impossible to miss. Even after my father shoved the door open, scanning the empty hallway, I still had no doubt that she'd been here.Not that she was at fault. Tonight should have been one of the best of her life, only to end up ruined because of her monster of a mate."I swear I heard someone make a sound." Lucien grunted, eyes darting across the hallway like the culprit would miraculously appear.Unable to keep it in, a small chuckle fell from my lips. My mate really was a quick one. Smart too.Both of them turned, glaring at me for my reaction."Is something funny, Marcus?" Lucien asked, eyes narrowed."Not particularly. I didn't hear anything though, perhaps you aren't feeling well. Have you considered seeing a healer?"This was my chance to finally escape this conversation. It was one we'd had time and again in the past, and it always ended the same way. With my father too afraid of me to confront my actions, but too proud to back down either."I

Chapter 15 : Alexandra

My gaze shifted from the view of the pack to him. Around his neck, something glowed like a ring of fire.A chain."Marcus...""Ignore it." He grunted. Each word seemed to only make the chain of fire burn brighter. "It won't let me tell you. You have to see. You will see. It's not like I can control it anymore, I haven't been able to since you arrived.""Your wolf, when it took over, was that...?" My eyes widened.His lips parted to reply but the collar of fire burned even brighter, forcing his mouth shut."Don't say anything. I don't need to know what it is." Even if this curse could be the reason my life fell apart before it even began.The collar didn't stop burning, and his face began to twist, the pain so unbearable he couldn't hide it.Then I took my hands off him for barely a second and the light dimmed.I did it again, staying away for longer this time, and the light almost went out. "It's me... I'm the one causing it."My knees felt weak as I pushed myself to my feet, taking s

Chapter 16: Alexandra

The dining hall had a long wooden table in the center, with multiple chairs on either end.At the end of the table were two chairs, for the Alpha and Luna. Alpha Damarus sat on one, the other remained empty.Marcus had never mentioned his mother, and looking back, there were never any traces of her anywhere.On either side of the table were both Lucien and Marcus. The seat next to Lucien was occupied by a beautiful, sharp-eyed woman.His mate.Bile rose to my throat at the thought of him sleeping with so many omegas even with his mate well and present. Was Marcus going to be the same? The seating seemed to be based on status and power. "Well, why are you standing? Sit down and don't delay us further." The woman, Lucien's mate demanded, gesturing to the empty chair next to Marcus.Marcus glared at her before his gaze focused back on me, softening as I approached.Before sitting, I bowed to Alpha Damarus as was the custom back home. "Thank you for having me, Alpha."Lucien snorted, mu